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EFC issues for NRA’s Conclusions & recommendations. EFC and Tolling. Pay-for-use is a politically attractive approach for infrastructure issues like: financing, congestion, Environment
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EFC and Tolling • Pay-for-use is a politically attractive approach for infrastructure issues like: • financing, • congestion, • Environment • Free flow Electronic Fee Collection (EFC) is needed for cost-effective and save collection of toll or charges • EFC is not new: • Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Sweden and Denmarkuse tags • Germany and Switzerland use more intelligent On Board Units • Most EFC implementations are dedicated
AREAS of EFC-IMPLEMENTATION FINANCING TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Distribution of traffic Congestion/ environment New constructions Maintenance All traffic Many schemes implemented → extensive experience DSRC Norway, France etc… HGV New schemes → some experience Different technologies Germany, Austria,… Urban areas Few schemes implemented → little experience DSRC, Camera’s London,Stockholm Traditional NRA responsibilites Network operations
EFC Interoperability • Clear driver needs: • EFC must be very simple, • the On-Board Unit (OBU) must work everywhere in Europe • only one invoice is expected containing all charges. • Interoperability doesn’t create added value, not all operators are willing to bear the costs. Who should pay for it? • Interoperability didn’t come by itself, therefore the European Commission issued the directive 2004/52/EC on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the Community • It is the ambition of the European Commission to create a pan-European EFC service available at every EFC location.
Policy making • Before the introduction of an EFC system the following aspects must have been addressed: • Determination of objectives • Political and administrative roles and responsibilities • Adaptation of legislative framework • Realistic time schedule • Political will, public acceptance
Influencing factors • EU directive limits the options • The NRA and his specific role, bridging the gap between policy makers and implementation • Reasoning behind introduction of toll or User Charging, operational area, type of vehicles, …. • Planned and unexpected side effects • Technology concepts
Technology • Major costs of EFC implementation are generated by: • Chosen technology • In-car and Road-side equipment • Back-Office systems • Possible technologies: • DSRC tag based systems • GPS/GSM/GPRS with digital map for calculation of distance travelled • GPS/GSM/GPRS with tachometer for calculation of distance travelled
Costs • DRSC systems have low cost tags, but (sometimes many) expensive gantries • GPS/GSM systems require more expensive OBU’s, but fewer gantries • High recovery rate and significant enforcement require additional roadside equipment • Operational costs depending choices they can can range from 7% to 40%.
Implementation • Implementation timetable must be realistic: typically 4 years • Avoid introduction of new requirements during process • Legal problems with tender procedure can be expected • Contract must have go/no-go breakpoints • Implementation scenario must be carefully chosen • Give extra attention to public acceptance in all phases of project to secure political backing • 50% of the success is good communication with the public.
Recommendations(1) • NRA’s are recommended to: • define their roles and responsibilities explicitly. • have a leading role or at least influence the framework for the EFC implementation • closely follow the decision making process with regard to interoperability of EFC in the EU • safeguard the consistency of the chosen policy • be pro-active and consider all options in relation to his specific infrastructure conditions and associated costs and benefits. • consider the benefits and risks of combining different applications: a “killer” application can trigger the marketplace.
Recommendations (2) • NRA’s are recommended to: • put emphasis on a practical and straightforward approach • secure that enforcement aspects and processes become a dedicated and integral part of the EFC operation. Recovery rate and enforcement have a large influence on the success of the EFC implementation and operation in terms of costs and public acceptance. • monitor the procurement process to secure compliance with legal regulations to avoid time consuming appeals against the results of the procedure. • exchange best practice experiences with the other NRA’s • safeguard public acceptance in all phases